§ 15. Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries he made during his visit to Peterlee into the industrial needs of the new town; whether he is aware that few facilities for the employment of female and disabled workers exist in the area; and what efforts are being made by his Department to attract light industries.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware of the industrial needs of Peterlee. The two Government-financed factories which have been completed recently in Peterlee are expected to recruit a larger number of female workers than are at present registered as unemployed and will also provide employment for disabled persons in the area. A third small factory has recently been approved and the Board of Trade will continue to try to attract suitable light industry in step with the development of housing.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at neither of the two factories, one of which is not yet started, will there be provided employment for disabled ex-miners and ex-Service men; that, in the main, female labour will be employed there? When the right hon. Gentleman was in Peterlee the other day—I do not know whether he stopped there—did he make inquiries about the industrial needs of that area? Will he not do something for this new town?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI did have the opportunity of visiting Peterlee for a short time a few days ago. I saw these two factories and went into one of them. 2101 There are 1,819 workers in Peterlee registered as disabled, and 79 of them are at present unemployed. I shall bear in mind their interests as well as other interests in that area in trying to encourage new factory development there.